It is a fact that YouTube plays a major role in deciding the music and artists we listen to. Gone are those days when the record store and the radio were the major places where we could discover new music and musicians.
With YouTube playing such an important role in the contemporary music industry, especially in the area of music consumption and discovery, a lot of musicians have taken great advantage of this.
With just a quick search on YouTube’s search bar, you could discover hundreds of new musicians that you would have never probably heard of.
Because of this, a lot of rappers have gone a little extra with this by somehow making YouTube their major music hosting hub.
Some go as far as hosting live rap concerts/shows exclusively on YouTube, while some just release new music a lot more frequently on YouTube.
Determining what classified a rapper as a YouTube rapper can get a bit tricky. Eminem has accumulated about 4.93 billion streams on YouTube, thus becoming the highest-streamed rapper on the platform.
But does that mean we should call Eminem a “YouTube Rapper”? That is a question I will leave for you to answer. On that note, we will list the top 20 rappers we believe fall into the category of “YouTube Rappers.”
These are rappers who are either making it big on YouTube (rappers with great YouTube popularity) or were discovered on YouTube. This list follows no particular order.
Table of Contents
About the YouTube Rap Scene
The YouTube Rap scene is a bubbling and lively one with all the rap artists on top of their games.
The consumption rate is also quite encouraging as there are millions of listeners actively waiting for the next rap video from their favorite YouTube rapper.
On the part of the rappers, it is more than just a game as many of them have assumed roles of motivational speakers and even teachers in the lives of their subscribers.
They do not only entertain, but they inspire and boost their subscriber’s energy, and also boldly talk about day-to-day activities ranging from social to political.
However, there are also YouTube rappers that are solely out for battles. All they do is beef and diss each other in their ciphers and performances.
The final battle between Eminem and papa Doc is one of the most interesting rap videos on YouTube.
Although the final battle is a short clip from a movie titled 8 Mile. It is one of the trending rap battles on YouTube.
YouTube rappers also feature words per minute, rhymes, and chopper rapping. Including Greatly vulgar words and lyrics.
Tech N9ne is one of the most influential and fastest rappers on youtube. He is assumed to have made chopper rapping popular on youtube.
Chopper is street slang for firearms and helicopter (the rapid tat tat tat). Rappers who rap at a fast pace are regarded as chopper rappers.
The YouTube rapping scene takes a large view percentage on YouTube. Almost a third of YouTube users view rap scenes. Rap music is easy to consume because of its universal nature and simple approach to composition.
The YouTube Director of black music and culture, Tuma Basa had said that the younger generation on YouTube is the digital natives.
The so-called digital natives have figured out how to make the rap scene on YouTube and how to get monetized.
20 YouTube Rappers You Should Know
This is the list of 20 YouTube rappers you should know. You may want to go and watch their rap music on Youtube.
1. Dax
Dax is a 28 years old Nigerian/Canadian rapper, songwriter, and singer. Born in Canada, on 22nd March 1994. Daniel Nwosu Jr popularly known as Dax has been active in hip-hop, R&B, and hardcore hip-hop since 2017
Before Dax became a popular YouTube rapper, he exploited motivational speaking and poetry writing. These were during his days at Newman university.
The popular YouTube rapper also played guard for the Newman jets basketball team. He seemed to have had more interest in basketball than in rap.
However, according to Dax, he has always been a big fan of rap music. There was a particular period he listened to Tupac’s raps.
He got inspired when the billionaire rapper Drake took up the YouTube scene. Dax has also quoted 50 cents and Lil Wayne. Dax’s rap style can be likened to artists like Tech N9ne, Eminem, and Hopsin.
His EP titled “I’ll say it for you” released in 2020 had a widespread approving review on YouTube.
The EP which consisted of about 7 tracks preceded the contentious single “Dear God” which has more than 53 million views on YouTube.
In the single “Dear God,” Dax contemplates his life and the world and is asking God questions. Music critics have commended the music for its lyricism and subject matter.
2. KSI
Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji popularly known as KSI is an English Youtube rapper and Boxer. KSI was born on June 1993 in London, England. He has been active as a rapper, songwriter, gamer, and YouTuber since 2009.
He has written and produced rap music for his YouTube channel which has about 24 million subscribers. KSI has released numerous interesting singles, Ep, and an album that is still trending on youtube.
KSI is also the CEO of Misfit boxing and the co-owner of the prime energy drink and XIX Vodka. How KSI manages to combine Gaming, boxing, and filming and is still seen in the YouTube rapping scene is outstanding.
3. Quadeca
Quadeca was born on 2nd October 2002 in Los Angeles, California, USA. His birth name is Benjamin Lasky. Quadeca is a YouTube rapper, songwriter, record producer, poet, and former game commentator.
Quadeca has been active on YouTube uploading his rap music, music video sketches, and video games since 2012. Quadeca began making rap-related content and freestyle for his channel in 2014.
One of his performances at a middle school talent show went viral on YouTube and got Quadeca so many subscribers and fans.
Quadeca dissed KSI in late 2018 when KSI came out to say that Quadeca and some other rappers were frauds.
The response diss track titled “insecure” by Quadeca was released a week after KSI called him out. The rap music video had over 8 million views in 10 days.
4. RiceGum
RiceGum was born on November, 19th, 1996 as Bryan Quang Le in Las Vegas, Nevada. The American YouTuber RiceGum is popular for his diss tracks and online feuds with other YouTubers.
He has accumulated over ten million subscribers and over 2 billion video views since the inception of his YouTube channel.
RiceGum released a single titled “It’s Every Night Sis” in 2017. He featured a fellow YouTuber by the name of Allisa Violet.
It’s Every Night Sis was a response track to the viral song by Jake Paul titled “It’s Everyday Bro”
RiceGum was ranked number 25 on the billboard emerging artist chart in 2017. And in match 2018, Le’s track it’s every Night Sis was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)
5. XXXTENTACION
Joseph Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy was born on January 23rd, 1998 in Plantation, Florida. He is popularly known as XXXtentacion.
XXXtentacion was an American rapper, songwriter, and singer. Unfortunately, he was only active on YouTube from 2015-2018 (3 years).
However, in three years he had a dedicated fan base somewhat considered a cult following. And, he is also considered a leading figure in emo rap.
His YouTube channel since created has received over 38.50 million subscribers and 9.65 billion total views.
XXXtectacion died in June 2018 (age 20) from multiple gunshot wounds to the neck in Deerfield Beach, Florida. Although dead, his music still lives.
6. 6ix9ine
Daniel Hernandez, popularly known as 6ix9ine and sometimes Tekashi69 is an American Youtube rapper.
6ix9ine was born on May 8th, 1996 in New York City, US. He became popular in 2017 after the release of his sleeper hit titled Gummo.
He is a public celebrity feud with an aggressive rap music style, prestigious rainbow-colored hair, extensive tattoo, and legal issues.
Hernandez’s music is normally classified as scream rap, hip-hop, hardcore hip-hop, and punk rap. He has cited 50 cents, DMX, Tupac Shakur, and notorious B.I.G as his influence.
Sometime in April 2020 following his repeated legal issues, 6ix9ine was in home confinement and had to plead with a judge to film a video in his backyard.
On May 2020, his 24th birthday, 6ix9ine released a single titled Gooba alongside a music video.
7. Tom MacDonald
Thomas Macdonald was born on September 1988, in Mission, British Columbia, Canada. Tom Macdonald is a Canadian rapper, songwriter, and former professional wrestler.
The song titled “Dear rappers brought Macdonald to the limelight. His other songs such as Fake woke, Snowflakes, and Brainwashed all appeared in the Billboard Hot 100 in 2021.
Macdonald began to rap at the age of 18. He later entered wrestling with the name Allstars.
Macdonald struggled with drunkenness throughout much of his life. He was rehabilitated in 2017 when he had a breakdown. His music is often about racial politics and the United States.
8. Scarlxrd
Marius Lucas Anthonio Listhrop popularly known as Scarlxrd (pronounced as Scarlord) was born on 19th June 1994 in Wolverhampton, England.
Scarlxrd is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. He is regarded as the frontiers person of the trap metal genre.
Scarlxrd is been described to be a perky and super smiley Youtuber. Because he records and publishes vlogs from his bedroom.
He started uploading videos on YouTube as Mazzi Maz before he even began a career in music. In February 2017, Scarlxrd rebranded his YouTube channel and deleted all the videos he uploaded as Mazzi Maz.
9. Emiway
Bilal Shaikh, popularly known as Emiway Bantai was born on 13th November 1995 in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. Emiway is a rapper, singer, songwriter, dancer, and music producer.
The name Emiway is a combination of two great rappers, Eminem, and Lil Wayne. Emi from Eminen and way from Wayne.
Emiway was Making rap music just for fun at the initial stage. He later became serious with rap music when he later received an overwhelming reaction.
He had to work at Hard Rock Cafe to earn money and support his music career when he started up.
Emiway was advised by his father to not just rap in the English language alone but to consider Hindi. This was so Indians can also understand his music. In 2014, Emiway released Aur Bantai, his very first Hindi rap and it was a hit.
10. Crypt
Marcus Albaladejo also known as Crypt is an underground rapper. Born on 18th August 1980 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Crypt the Warchild is a member of the Army of Pharaohs and the older brother of rapper King Syze.
He started rap music when he was in high school. Crypt alongside Richard Cruz and Mario Collazo move their little high school trio to a group called outer space.
Crypt is regarded as one-half duo rap of Outer Space. They have appeared in JMT tracks and Crypt has received millions of subscribers since he started his YouTube channel on 15 June 2012.
11. Joyner Lucas
Gary Maurice “Joyner” Lucas is an American rapper, songwriter, and singer. He was born on 17th August 1988, in Worcester, Massachusetts, US. He has been active as a music rapper since 2007 till present.
The release of the single titled ‘Rose capicchioni gained Lucas popularity in 2015. Lucas is also known for remixing popular hip-hop songs like DNA by Kendrick Lamar, Bank account by 21 Savage, and Gucci Gang by Lil Pump.
In 2017, he released I’m not a Racist which gained him more widespread. The video was nominated for the Grammy Award for best music video.
12. WS2
Harold Christopher George Lewis popularly known as Wroetoshaw or WS2 is a rapper, singer, and songwriter. WS2 was born on 24 November 1996 in Guernsey. He and his sibling attended Guernsey Grammar school.
Harry is one of the youngest members of the Sidemen and a popular YouTube rapper. In early 2014, Harry dropped out of school at the age of 17 to do YouTube full-time. He also joined the Sidemen around this same period.
Harry at a very tender age began to create YouTube channels with different names seeking subscribers.
Wroetoshaw is the name he finally settled for his main channel. Wroetoshaw is a combination of two FIFA players, Nicky Wroe, and Tom Bradshaw.
13. Miniminter
Simon Minister popularly known as Miniminter is a YouTube rapper, songwriter, and singer. He was born on 7 September 1992 in England. Miniminter is a YouTube and a member of Sidemen.
Simon was inspired to create his own YouTube channel after becoming friends with JJ.
In December 2012, Simon made his first FIFA video before dropping out of the University. Perhaps he couldn’t cope with the amount of theory in Criminology.
Simon mainly uploaded FIFA, real-life football, Vlogs, and Q&A on his Youtube channel when he first began.
However, Simon had his first collaboration video with Deji in 2013. That same 2013 he started a new channel in which he uploaded Grandtheft auto V and cards against humanity.
In March 2014, he uploaded his first group video to his main account. The video was a challenge with various other YouTubers. His youtube channel received about 150,000 subscribers and has since then been popular.
14. PewDiePie
Felix Arvid Ulf Kjellberg popularly known as PewDiePie is a Swedish Youtube rapper and content creator.
He was born on 24 October 1989 in Sweden. He had an interest in art as a child and wanted to draw all the popular game characters.
Kjellberg also enjoyed working with photo manipulation in photoshop more rather than being in school.
In the year 2010, Kjellberg created a Youtube channel with the Name Pewdiepie.
His channel is recognized as one of the fastest-growing channels and is currently one of the most subscribed channels on YouTube.
15. Merkules
Cole Stevenson popularly known as Merkules is a Canadian rapper and singer that has been active since 2011 till present.
He is from Surrey, British Columbia. Merkules is also known for his hangover rap style of music. At the age of 15, Merkules was already a rapper and hype man under the name Merk Miks.
At the age of 16, he was attacked on his way back to his residence at night. Merkules still have scars from the attack.
He drew inspiration from the incident and in 2016 he released an album titled Scars. In 2017 he released another album, Trust your guts.
16. Mac Lethal
David Mccleary Sheldon popularly known as Mac Lethal is an American rapper, songwriter, and author.
He was born on 25 July 1981 in Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. Uncle Mac is a former radio host and presently the founder of Black cover records.
In 2002, Mac won the scribble jam rap. Battle. His debut album, Men are from Mars was also released the same year. In 2004, he was taken by Sage Francis on a tour. And in 2006 he founded the Black cover record.
In 2011, Mac rejected a contract offered by Sonic music. He claims the offer was insane. Mac became popular on Youtube when he uploaded a video of himself rapping over the beat of Chris Brown’s “Look at me now”.
17. CHVSE
Chase Halverson popularly known as Chvse was born on 9 May 1999 in Rainy River, Canada. Chvse is a rapper, songwriter, and singer from Ontario, Canada. He previously used to go by the name Sir Skitzo.
Chvse is a YouTube personality with an incredible Fanbase. He has over four hundred thousand subscribers. He has uploaded a lot of remixes, music videos, original songs, and nerd rap music. One of his widespread singles is a blackout.
According to Chvse, he has been able to manipulate phrases to communicate his feelings. He is a storyteller.
The song Blackout is an inspiration by a dream that Chvse had. He claims to have seen himself dabbling with drugs and alcoholism.
18. Upchurch
Ryan Edward Upchurch popularly known as Upchurch was born on May 24, 1991, in Nashville, Tennessee. Upchurch is an American rapper, songwriter, comedian, and singer. He is frequently regarded as a country rapper.
However, Upchurch has released singles in a variety of music genres including hip-hop, rock, and Southern metal. In 2015, the American rapper uploaded the Extended Play titled Cheetham Country to his YouTube channel.
He released another full-length Album titled Heart of America In 2016. Both the 2015 and 2016 albums reached the top 30 of the Billboard Top Country album chart.
19. Pink Guy
Pink Guy or Filthy Frank is a Japanese rapper, songwriter, YouTube, and former comedian. His original name is Goerge Kusunoki Miller. He was born on 18 September 1992 in Osaka, Japan.
Miller’s Youtube channel named TVfilthyfrank has received over 1.2 billion total views and about 7.89 million subscribers.
In 2011, he moved to the United state and that same year he gained popularity when he The Filthy Frank Show on YouTube.
In 2017, Pink Guy ended The Filthy Frank Show on Youtube to follow a career in music. Nonetheless, Pink Guy released music alongside a comedy album between 2014 and 2017. He has always been passionate about music.
20. Boyinaband
David Paul Brown popularly known as Boyinaband is an English YouTuber, rapper, songwriter, and singer.
Brown was born on 24 August 1987 in Shropshire, England. He is known for the song titled Don’t Stay in School.
Brown initially created his Youtube channel as a side project for You And What Army. However, he later began to upload music videos to the channel.
His song Don’t Stay In School went viral in February 2015. The song title seems to sound like a discouragement to scholars.
However, Brown is criticizing the school system for not teaching practical life skills and rather for spending time on unnecessary topics.
Regardless of the subject of controversy drawn from Brown’s Don’t Stay in school, the song has obtained accolades from parents, teachers, and students.
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